Lighting device including spatially segregated lumiphor and reflector arrangement

Abstract

A lighting device includes one or more lumiphoric materials spatially segregated from one or more electrically activated (e.g., solid state) emitters and arranged to emit light toward a reflector for reflection of lumiphor-converted light emissions toward a light transmissive end of the lighting device. One or more adjustment elements may be arranged adjust position of the at least one lumiphoric material, and/or to adjust at least one of (a) position, (b) aim, and (c) focus, of the at least one electrically activated light emitting source.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lighting device comprising:
 a base end; 
 electrical contacts associated with the base end; 
 a light-transmissive end; 
 at least one solid state light emitting source; 
 a reflector comprising a cup-shaped body including (i) a reflective surface, (ii) at least one aperture arranged to enable transmission of light emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source through the at least one aperture, and (iii) a light-transmissive opening arranged to permit transmission of light reflected by the reflector toward the light-transmissive end; 
 at least one lumiphoric material that is spatially segregated from the at least one solid state light emitting source, that is arranged to receive at least a portion of the light emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source, and that is arranged to emit lumiphor-converted light emissions toward the reflector; and 
 a lens proximate to the light-transmissive opening of the reflector; 
 wherein the reflector is arranged to reflect lumiphor-converted light emissions toward the light-transmissive end; and 
 wherein the lighting device comprises at least one of the following features (a) or (b): 
 (a) the lighting device includes a support structure that is distinct from the lens and is arranged to support the at least one lumiphoric material between the lens and the at least one aperture, wherein the support structure and the at least one lumiphoric material are spatially separated from and devoid of contact with the lens; and 
 (b) the lighting device includes a heat sink arranged external to the lens, arranged in conductive thermal communication with the at least one lumiphoric material, and arranged to dissipate heat from the at least one lumiphoric material to an ambient air environment, wherein the heat sink includes a screw or movable element extending from a lumiphoric material support structure through the lens, and movement of the heat sink is arranged to cause movement of the at least one lumiphoric material. 
 
     
     
       2. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lumiphoric material is arranged on or over at least one reflective support surface, a portion of the light emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source is absorbed by the at least one lumiphoric material, and a portion of the light emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source is reflected by the at least one reflective support surface toward the reflector. 
     
     
       3. The lighting device according to  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one reflective support surface comprises a concave or convex shape. 
     
     
       4. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lumiphoric material, or a lumiphor support surface arranged to support the at least one lumiphoric material, is supported by the lens. 
     
     
       5. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , including a support structure that is distinct from the lens and is arranged to support the at least one lumiphoric material between the lens and the at least one aperture, wherein the support structure and the at least one lumiphoric material are spatially separated from and devoid of contact with the lens. 
     
     
       6. The lighting device of  claim 5 , wherein the support structure is supported between the lens and the reflector by a plurality of spokes extending inward from the reflector. 
     
     
       7. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source comprises a first solid state light emitting source adapted to generate emissions including a first peak wavelength, and comprises a second solid state light emitting source adapted to generate emissions including a second peak wavelength, and wherein the first peak wavelength differs from the second peak wavelength by at least 30 nm. 
     
     
       8. The lighting device according to  claim 7 , comprising a beam combining element arranged to combine light emissions of the first solid state light emitting source and light emissions of the second solid state light emitting source into a single beam directed to the at least one lumiphoric material. 
     
     
       9. The lighting device according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one aperture includes a first aperture arranged to enable transmission of light emissions of the first solid state light emitting source through the first aperture, and includes a second aperture arranged to enable transmission of light emissions of the second solid state light emitting source through the second aperture. 
     
     
       10. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lumiphoric material comprises a first lumiphoric material adapted to generate emissions including a third peak wavelength, and comprises a second lumiphoric material adapted to generate emissions including a fourth peak wavelength, and wherein the third peak wavelength differs from the fourth peak wavelength by at least 30 nm. 
     
     
       11. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lumiphoric material is arranged over at least one lumiphor support element, and the at least one lumiphoric material includes at least one of a pattern, composition, amount, and concentration that varies according to lateral position on the at least one lumiphor support element. 
     
     
       12. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical or electromechanical element arranged to adjust position of the at least one lumiphoric material. 
     
     
       13. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical or electromechanical element arranged to adjust at least one of (a) position, (b) aim, and (c) focus, of the at least one solid state light emitting source. 
     
     
       14. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense at least one of color, chromaticity, and intensity of lumiphor-converted light emissions, wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source is controllable responsive to at least one output signal of the at least one sensor. 
     
     
       15. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , including a heat sink arranged external to the lens, arranged in conductive thermal communication with the at least one lumiphoric material, and arranged to dissipate heat from the at least one lumiphoric material to an ambient air environment, wherein the heat sink includes a screw or movable element extending from a lumiphoric material support structure through the lens, and movement of the heat sink is arranged to cause movement of the at least one lumiphoric material. 
     
     
       16. A method comprising illuminating an object, a space, or an environment, utilizing the lighting device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       17. The lighting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source comprises a laser arranged to emit a laser beam. 
     
     
       18. The lighting device of  claim 1 , further comprising a body portion arranged between the reflector and the base end, wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source is arranged in a recess of the body portion, a width of the reflector is greater than a width of the body portion, and a width of the recess is greater than a width of the at least one aperture. 
     
     
       19. A lighting device comprising:
 a light-transmissive end; 
 at least one solid state light emitting source that comprises a first solid state light emitting source adapted to generate emissions including a first peak wavelength and comprises a second solid state light emitting source adapted to generate emissions including a second peak wavelength; 
 a reflector comprising a cup-shaped body defining a cavity, including a reflective surface, and including a light-transmissive opening arranged to permit transmission of light reflected by the reflector toward the light-transmissive end; and 
 at least one lumiphoric material that is (i) spatially segregated from the at least one solid state light emitting source, (ii) arranged on or over at least one reflective support surface, (iii) arranged to receive at least a portion of light emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source, and (iv) arranged to emit lumiphor-converted light emissions toward the reflector; 
 wherein the reflector is arranged to reflect lumiphor-converted light emissions toward the light-transmissive end; and 
 wherein the at least one lumiphoric material comprises a first lumiphoric material and a second lumiphoric material, the at least one reflective support surface comprises a first convex reflective support surface and a second convex reflective support surface, the first lumiphoric material is arranged on or over the first convex reflective support surface to receive emissions from the first solid state light emitting source, the second lumiphoric material is arranged on or over the second convex reflective support surface to simultaneously receive emissions from the second solid state light emitting source, and aggregate emissions of the lighting device include emissions of the first lumiphoric material and the second lumiphoric material. 
 
     
     
       20. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , wherein the reflector includes a first aperture and a second aperture wherein the first aperture is arranged to enable transmission of light emissions of the first solid state light emitting source through the first aperture to impinge on the first lumiphoric material arranged on the first convex reflective support surface, and the second aperture is arranged to enable transmission of light emissions of the second solid state light emitting source through the second aperture to impinge on the second lumiphoric material arranged on the second convex reflective support surface. 
     
     
       21. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , wherein the first lumiphoric material is adapted to generate emissions including a third peak wavelength and the second lumiphoric material is adapted to generate emissions including a fourth peak wavelength, wherein the third peak wavelength differs from the fourth peak wavelength by at least 30 nm. 
     
     
       22. The lighting device according to  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first peak wavelength differs from the second peak wavelength by at least 30 nm. 
 
     
     
       23. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the first lumiphoric material and the second lumiphoric material includes at least one of a pattern, composition, amount, and concentration that varies according to lateral position on at least one of the first convex reflective support surface and the second convex reflective support surface. 
     
     
       24. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a mechanical or electromechanical element arranged to adjust position of the at least one lumiphoric material. 
     
     
       25. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a mechanical or electromechanical element arranged to adjust at least one of (a) position, (b) aim, and (c) focus, of the at least one solid state light emitting source. 
     
     
       26. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a heat sink in conductive thermal communication with the at least one lumiphoric material and arranged to dissipate heat from the at least one lumiphoric material to an ambient air environment. 
     
     
       27. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , further comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense at least one of color, chromaticity, and intensity of lumiphor-converted light emissions, wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source is controllable responsive to at least one output signal of the at least one sensor. 
     
     
       28. A method comprising illuminating an object, a space, or an environment, utilizing the lighting device according to  claim 19 . 
     
     
       29. The lighting device according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source comprises a laser arranged to emit a laser beam, and the laser beam is arranged to traverse at least a portion of the cavity before impinging on the at least one lumiphoric material. 
     
     
       30. A lighting device comprising:
 a light-transmissive end; 
 at least one solid state light emitting source; 
 a reflector comprising a cup-shaped body including a reflective surface and a light-transmissive opening arranged to permit transmission of light reflected by the reflector toward the light-transmissive end; 
 at least one lumiphoric material that is (i) spatially segregated from the at least one solid state light emitting source, (ii) arranged on or over at least one reflective lumiphor support surface, (iii) arranged to receive at least a portion of emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source, and (iv) adapted to emit lumiphor-converted light emissions toward the reflector; 
 a lens proximate to the light-transmissive opening of the reflector; and 
 a heat sink arranged external to the lens, arranged in conductive thermal communication with the at least one lumiphoric material, arranged to dissipate heat from the at least one lumiphoric material to an ambient air environment, and embodying a mechanical adjustment element enabling a user to adjust rotation of any of (a) the at least one reflective lumiphor support surface, and (b) the at least one lumiphoric material, in order to adjust at least one of chromaticity and color temperature of aggregated light emissions of the lighting device; 
 wherein the at least one lumiphoric material is arranged on or over the at least one reflective lumiphor support surface in an amount, concentration, or composition that varies with position; and 
 wherein the reflector is arranged to reflect lumiphor-converted light emissions toward the light-transmissive end. 
 
     
     
       31. The lighting device according to  claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one reflective lumiphor support surface comprises a concave or convex shape. 
     
     
       32. The lighting device according to  claim 30 , further comprising a support structure distinct from the lens, wherein the support structure is arranged to support the at least one lumiphoric material between the lens and the at least one solid state light emitting source, and the lumiphoric material is spatially separated from the lens. 
     
     
       33. The lighting device according to  claim 30 , wherein the reflector comprises at least one aperture arranged to receive the at least one solid state light emitting source or arranged to enable transmission of light emissions of the at least one solid state light emitting source through the at least one aperture. 
     
     
       34. The lighting device according to  claim 30 , further comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense at least one of color, chromaticity, and intensity of lumiphor-converted light emissions, wherein the at least one solid state light emitting source is controllable responsive to at least one output signal of the at least one sensor. 
     
     
       35. A method comprising illuminating an object, a space, or an environment, utilizing the lighting device according to  claim 30 . 
     
     
       36. A method utilizing a lighting device according to  claim 30 , the method comprising:
 operating the mechanical adjustment element to adjust interaction between the at least one solid state light emitting source and the at least one lumiphoric material to thereby adjust at least one of color and chromaticity of emissions transmitted by the lighting device through the light-transmissive end.